This time it’s for UNESCO. I received the “Patroness of Education” award at a huge gala tonight. I spoke, again, about the critical importance of educating girls. Sitting next to me, also receiving an award for his considerable humanitarian work was Forest Whitaker.

with Forest Whitaker

Tommy and Dee Hilfiger

Also receiving awards were designer Tommy Hilfiger, singer/songwriter Ronan Keating and songwriter Denise Rich. Both of the latter said how terrific they think my honey, Richard, is, which made me happy. Jermaine Jackson performed in honor of his brother, Michael. I was able to give him an emotional hug before the gala. We hadn’t seen each other since the day in the late 1970s when I visited Michael at the home in the valley where he lived with his mother and sisters. “I was visiting and we were all sitting around the pool when you came,” Jermaine reminisced. “I can’t believe he’s gone,” he said, and we both looked at each other for a long moment.

An amazing British singer, Paul Potts, sang opera. I had never heard of him but wow! Not so long ago he was a broke mailman in Bristol, but he went on “Britain’s Got Talent” and knocked everyone out. He has a breathtaking voice and a great sense of humor. Paul is short and, well, rather plump. He said,” I’m not fat, it’s just that my height hasn’t caught up with my weight.” Most of us were crying when he finished his 4th aria.

The huge screen with a close up of Paul Potts singing his final aria, ‘Nessun Dorma’

German school children performing at the UNESCO Gala

I have long been a fan of Forest Whitaker and we exchanged numbers with the intent of getting together in L.A. I hadn’t realized the extent to which he is a writer and producer as well as actor.

I left the gala early because I am tired and must get up early tomorrow to fly to Paris where I will meet the producer and director of my next film…a French film to be shot in french in Paris next June. It has been almost 50 years since I acted in French but I remain fluent. Then I will have dinner with all the other actors. I’m really looking forward to this event and will write and send photos tomorrow.

16 Comments

Enjoyed hearing about all this, Jane. I love it when you give interesting details about people you know or have known.

I’m excited about your French film! It’ll be fun seeing you speak French! How exciting it will be to be filming in Paris!!

I saw your film, “Sunday In New York”, recently! You’re very good in this romantic comedy! Yes, it’s very innocent and lighthearted, but it made me feel good to watch it! Wish there were more movies like this now….funny, relaxing to watch, and very appealing! Now everything seems to have special effects with weak stories and mediocre actors!

You can go on You Tube to see Paul Potts’ first audition for “Britain’s got Talent”! It was very impressive and shocked everyone….even Simon! You can also go to fancast.com or hulu.com to look at episodes from various TV shows on your computer!!

Miss Jane Fonda, I’m sure I’m speaking for all women when I say how greatful and thankful I am to you! All theese years you’ve fighted for human rights and Womens rights! and when I read about “why” it takes so long, and you said it has to do with power and who’s got the power.

I absolutley think that you are one of few that uses your “power” and fame to do great things for the future! You are such an Inspiration to all women and to me, I’m 19 and I hope that younger women can get the opertunity to know how important people like you are for us! This gives all women all over the world a chance to belive!

I met Karim Sattar the body shops make up artist yesterday and he told me what a wonderful woman you were!

I just wanted to thank you and wish you good luck with everything and the french movie you’re gonna be in;)

yeah!!! your post is very interessting!!!the big event is that ysou’ll be in Paris for a new movie!! great! France is your second country? isn’t it? eager to read your tomorrow post on it!!frederique dhenein

I meet Forest Whitaker years ago interesting person,local LA area guy.Acted in French you could Art French , lucky I spent 31/2 years ,after graduate school studing French and lost most of it, without use you loss it. Little use of the French word in LA, sounds interesting to do a film after 50 years. Sounds like a great event , bing a Education specialist I do enjoy the interest people of note have in the area , in general.
Good job Jane, starting to get to learn alitte about you by now.

First of all Jane, thank you for your kind comments, I enjoyed my performance and such an important event as this deserves the support it gets. It was great to meet you (I still can’t work out how I managed to put down 10 instead of 11 on the date). I studied Film at University and one of films I studied was the incredible film Klute, and you gave a brilliant performance in that film, it must have been a very challenging role. I look forward too our paths crossing again.

Once again ….. I hate to be so shallow…but youve got enough deep people who blog….You look better than ever… love the white shirt…..you just look more alive than I have seen you in a while…eye candy.. and Im very straight!!

I very much admire your work with UNESCO on the importance of getting girls into education.

I am wondering if this extends to further education and whether you know anyone in Dusseldorf that can help me, as I am running an event there on Feruary 18th 2010 which aims to help any ladies out there who are interested in doing an MBA?

The event is called TopMBA Connect 1-2-1 and I would like to get as many women involved as possible. Please do let me know if you know of anyone who can help.

All the very best with your amazing endeavours as Patroness of Education,
Lizz